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British Bookmakers Set to Make Record Contribution for Rights to Show Horse Racing
British bookmakers are on track to make a record contribution to horse racing next year – with the bill for media rights forecast to increase by nearly £30m.
The Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, Entain, Flutter, bet365, 888/William Hill and Betfred, expect to see a record cost increase to broadcast races.
In 2022, BGC members paid £270.1m for the rights to live stream races for customers and show them in bookmakers.
But that cost is forecast to rise to £285.3m this year, an increase of 5.6%, with members estimating a further increase to £315.2m in 2024, a further bump of 10.5%.
The combined increase for media rights costs is now expected to rise by 16.7% between 2022 and 2024.
The figures are based on data supplied by the Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, then adjusted to include smaller operators, who must also pay for media rights.
Michael Dugher, CEO of Betting and Gaming Council, said: “BGC members are already making a record contribution to horse racing and these figures show that is only going to increase.
“This comes despite a reduction in betting turnover on racing in the last five years and a worrying decline in participation in horse race betting overall.
“Horse racing remains a hugely important, world-leading sport, enjoyed by millions of fans and like the betting industry it continues to support large numbers of jobs.
“I know racing is trying to modernise and reach out to new fans, while also trying to bounce back from the Covid pandemic and deal with some difficult economic headwinds, plus deal with the hit on its funding caused by the Government. The betting industry is dealing with many of the same pressures on our revenues and costs.
“The BGC and our members remain fully committed to working together with the leadership of the sport, including the BHA and others, to ensure a better future for racing. But the fact that we are making a record and growing contribution to the sport cannot be ignored.”
The forecast costs come after the BGC announced their members directly contributed £384m to British horse racing last year in levy, media rights and sponsorship deals.
These figures showed an increase on previous estimates for the regulated sector’s contribution, which had placed it at around £350m a year.
In addition, bookmakers spent £125m on marketing to promote racing and betting through advertisements and partnerships, which helps secure vital terrestrial coverage of the sport and raise revenue for print newspaper titles.
As well as the increased costs for media rights, levy payments are projected to be £99m in 2022/2023, according to the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
This record investment also enabled horse racing to use some of these revenues to deliver record prize money of £179.3m in 2022.
Horse racing is the second biggest sport in the UK, second only to football, with more than five million people attending around 1400 fixtures annually across 59 racecourses.
However, its popularity is in decline. In 2007, 17% of the population participated in horse race betting in the previous year, but that fell to 10% in 2018.
Meanwhile football overtook horse racing betting around the same time between 2017/2018.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has committed to reviewing the Horseracing Levy by next year.
The Horseracing Levy, which is administered by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, goes towards improving the sport, breeding and boosting veterinary care.
Betting operators are working closely with the British Horseracing Authority and racing stakeholders on much needed reforms to the fixture list and race programme which should increase commercial returns from the levy and media rights.
The regulated betting industry fully supports this once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise horse racing so it can realise its full commercial potential.
The BGC is also working closely with the government on the proposed reforms from the White Paper to ensure those who enjoy betting can continue to do so without unnecessary intrusion, while introducing improved safeguards for the minority who struggle.
Betting shops currently support around 42,000 jobs, contribute £1bn a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.
The wider regulated betting and gaming industry contributes £7.1bn to the economy, generates £4.2bn in tax and supports 110,000 jobs.
In April DCMS unveiled the Government’s new White Paper on gambling reform, including a number of key measures the BGC had campaigned for.
Those included a new mandatory Ombudsman for the regulated sector, enhanced spending checks online and a new mandatory levy to fund research, education and treatment to tackle gambling related harm and problem gambling.
Each month in Great Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.
Meanwhile the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market online is growing in the UK, with the numbers betting on these sites doubling in recent years, and the amount staked in the billions.
Boston
Global Experts to Gather in Boston for First US Symposium on Online Gambling and Public Health
A major international discussion on the future of online gambling regulation is set to take place in the United States later this month, as the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) prepares to host its first global symposium dedicated to the sector’s public health impact.
The event, titled “Online Gambling and the Public Health Movement,” will be held on April 24, 2026, at Northeastern University in Boston, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and industry observers from across the US, Europe, and Australia.
The symposium comes at a time of rapid expansion in online betting markets, particularly in the United States, following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to state-level sports betting regulation. Since then, mobile-first platforms, micro-betting features, and AI-driven betting tools have significantly reshaped the landscape.
Focus on Regulation and Risk
According to the organisers, the event will focus on the growing calls for stronger consumer protections, as well as the broader societal impact of digital gambling products.
Discussions are expected to cover:
- The rise of micro-betting and real-time wagering
- The role of AI and data-driven betting systems
- The effectiveness of current responsible gambling frameworks
- The need for federal and state-level safety standards
Recent legislative proposals in the US, including the SAFE Bet Act and similar initiatives across multiple states, signal increasing political attention on the issue.
Global Experts and Policymakers to Attend
The speaker lineup includes a mix of academic, clinical, and political voices, such as:
- Public health researchers from Monash University and the University of Bath
- Representatives from the US federal and state governments
- Specialists in gambling addiction and behavioural research
The goal, according to PHAI, is to explore evidence-based approaches to regulation and harm reduction.
Industry Under Increasing Scrutiny
The symposium also follows a series of legal actions initiated by PHAI targeting major industry stakeholders, highlighting growing scrutiny around business practices and consumer protection.
As online gambling continues to scale globally, events like this reflect a broader shift toward cross-sector dialogue between regulators, public health experts, and industry participants.
The post Global Experts to Gather in Boston for First US Symposium on Online Gambling and Public Health appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
betting platforms
US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium
As scrutiny around online gambling intensifies in the United States, a landmark symposium in Boston is set to bring the issue of public health and regulation into sharper focus.
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) has announced it will host the country’s first international symposium dedicated to the public health impact of online gambling on April 24, 2026, at Northeastern University.
The event comes amid growing concern over the speed at which digital betting has expanded across the US, particularly in the years following the legalization of sports betting in multiple states.
From Market Growth to Public Health Debate
What began as a state-driven expansion of sports wagering has evolved into a broader ecosystem that now includes:
- Mobile-first betting platforms
- Micro-betting and in-play wagering
- Algorithm-driven and AI-supported betting tools
Public health experts argue that these developments have outpaced regulation, raising concerns about addiction risks, accessibility, and consumer safeguards.
Survey data continues to reflect mixed public sentiment, with a significant portion of Americans expressing concerns over the integrity of sports and the social impact of betting.
Policy Momentum Building Across States
The symposium will also highlight a wave of legislative efforts aimed at tightening controls on the industry. Proposals such as the SAFE Bet Act, alongside state-level initiatives in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, indicate a shift toward stricter oversight, including potential limits on high-risk betting formats like micro-betting.
Bringing Together Key Stakeholders
The Boston event will gather a broad coalition of stakeholders, including:
- US lawmakers and regulators
- Public health professionals
- Academic researchers specialising in gambling behaviour
- Policy advocates and legal experts
Key discussion points will include the limitations of current responsible gaming models, the need for federal safety standards, and strategies to reduce gambling-related harm.
Legal Pressure Adds to Industry Tensions
The symposium follows recent legal action involving major operators and sports stakeholders, underlining the increasingly complex relationship between rapid market growth and regulatory accountability in the US gambling sector.
As the conversation evolves, the Boston gathering is expected to play a role in shaping how policymakers and stakeholders approach the next phase of online gambling regulation in America.
The post US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
ZingBrain AI Drives Hondubet Growth with Real-Time Personalisation
ZingBrain AI is reshaping the iGaming landscape by delivering measurable performance gains for Hondubet through advanced real-time personalization technology.
By replacing its manually curated casino lobby with a fully automated, API-driven solution, Hondubet has unlocked a new level of player engagement and operational efficiency. The AI-powered system dynamically adapts content to individual player behaviors, ensuring that each user encounters games tailored to their unique preferences.
Significant Performance Gains Across Player Segments
Data from a controlled A/B test comparing the legacy manual lobby with the new personalized system highlights substantial improvements:
- A 25% increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) and turnover among newly registered players
- A 10% rise in total bets placed by returning users
- A 25% boost in the number of unique games explored across the player base
These results underscore the effectiveness of AI-driven personalization in enhancing both user engagement and revenue generation.
From Manual Management to Intelligent Automation
Previously, Hondubet relied heavily on manual processes to manage its casino lobby, requiring constant updates and resource-intensive oversight. According to Julian Pareja Garcia of Hondubet, the shift to ZingBrain AI has been transformative.
The automated system continuously learns from player interactions, refining game recommendations and lobby sections without human intervention. This allows the operator’s team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.
Smarter Player Experiences Through AI Innovation
Oleg Smolerov emphasized the collaborative approach between the two companies, highlighting a shared commitment to innovation and product excellence.
Rather than static content placement, the AI engine ensures that every element of the lobby evolves in response to real-time data. This creates a more intuitive and engaging user experience, where players are presented with content that feels both relevant and natural.
Aligning Commercial Goals with User Experience
Beyond engagement metrics, the integration also supports Hondubet’s commercial strategy. Through ZingBrain AI’s Game Promotion tool, priority titles can be strategically surfaced within personalized sections.
Crucially, the system evaluates performance continuously. Games that fail to resonate with players are automatically deprioritized and replaced with more relevant options. This ensures a balance between promotional objectives and player satisfaction, maximizing both retention and monetization.
A New Standard for iGaming Personalisation
The success of this integration signals a broader shift within the iGaming industry toward intelligent automation and data-driven experiences. By leveraging AI to personalize every touchpoint, operators like Hondubet are setting new benchmarks for engagement, efficiency, and revenue growth.
As competition intensifies, solutions like ZingBrain AI are poised to become essential tools for operators seeking to deliver meaningful, high-performing user experiences at scale.
The post ZingBrain AI Boosts Hondubet Engagement appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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